U.S. airstrike said to kill Russians

Moscow says any casualties in Syrian fight were mercenaries

IVAN NECHEPURENKO and NEIL MacFARQUHAR The New York Times

Originally published February 14, 2018 at 03:33a.m., updated February 14, 2018 at 03:33a.m.

Four Russian nationals, and perhaps dozens more, were killed in fighting between pro-government forces in eastern Syria and members of the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State militant group, according to Russian and Syrian officials.